Crutch.



G.E.KRITSGH. GRUTGH. APPLICATION I'ILBD'AUG.'Z5, 1910.

986,999; I A v 9 i Patented Mar.v14, 1911.

"UNIT CHARLES E. KRITSCH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CRUTGI-I.

Specification of Letters Patent.l

Patented Mar. Mc, llQfI.

Application filedl August 25, 1910. Serial No. 578,881.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. Knrrsoi-i, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at "Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Crutches; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in crutches andparticularly in the provision of a detachable leather top for fasteningto spring crutches and so constructed that a person may readily detachand replace the top.

IIeretofore, when it has been desired to replace the tops of crutches,it has been necessary to remove the tacks holding the same to the sidesof the crutch which has a tendency to damage the same and necessarilyshorten the usefulness 0f the crutch. By my improved method, the tQp maybe easily applied and removed by one unskilled in the art of manufactureof the crutch.

The invention consists essentially in the provision of a collar or bandprovided with apertures which register with apertures in the crutch overwhich it fits and in the provision of metallic ends of the top which areengaged by a screw passing` through the same and said collars, therebysecurely holding the tops in place.

The invention comprises various details of construction and combinationsand arrangements of parts which will be hereinafter fully described andthen specifically defined in the appended claim.

I illustrate my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure1 is a side elevation of a crutch made in accordance with my invention.Fig. 2 is a sectional view longitudinally through the top of the crutchand sides. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through the end of theleather top and clamping band with indenture therein, and Fig. 4C is anenlarged detail perspective view of the form of collar shown in Fig. 2.

Reference new being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A, Adesignate the side strips of the usual crutch, the upper ends of whichare bowed outwardly, as shown, and each strip is provided with anaperture D. Collars, designated by letter E, formed preferably of metal,are adapted to fit over each upper end of one of said strips and each ofsaid collars is provided with registering apertures, designated byletters F and F, thelatter of which is interiorly threaded to receivethe threaded end of a screw I-I which is passed through said aperturesof thel collar and also an aperture in the crutch, as shown.

The top, made of leather or other material and designated by letter C,has metallic clamping plates R about its ends and which members havespurs R to securely hold the ends of the top in place. Each metallicclamping member is inserted intermediate the outer edge of the crutchand one end of the collar which fits over the latter and a screw ispassed through registering apertures in the collar and metallic clampingmember and, when the threaded end of the screw turns into the threadedaperture in the collar, the parts will be securely held in place. Beforethe ends are fastened, however, the strips of the crutch are broughttoward each other so that they will normally hold the top under tensionwhen the top is adjusted in place.

By the provision of a simple and eicient device as shown, it will benoted that any person may conveniently replace the top when desired forany purpose by taking out the screws and removing the ends of the top,as will be readily understood.

What I claim to be new is In combination with a spring crutch having apair of side strips each of which is provided with an aperture adjacentto the upper end thereof, a metallic collar fitted over each of saidstrips and' having registerv clamping members being vinserted in one of'QV f 4 986,999

ing apertures,A one of which is threaded, a istering apertures in eachcollar, strip and top, a metallic clamping member engaging clampingmember. 1D each of the ends of said top and having an In testimonywhereof I hereunto aix my apertureepassng therethrough, each of saidsignature in the presence of two witnesses.

f Y YCIFIARLES E. KRITSCH. Witnesses A. L. HOUGH, GEO. L. THoM.

the collars between one of the'ends thereof and the outer edge of thecorresponding strip, and 'a screw passing through the reg- `Copies-o1this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing theCommissioner of Patents,

^ Washington, D. C.

